The President of the Cameroon Karate Federation (FECAKARATE) Emmanuel Wakam and four other Karate officials have received an eight year ban from all sporting activities by the Board of Cameroon National Olympic and Sport Committee, CNOSC following charges of sexual harassment.
Six other officials from the federation were also indicted for their roles in the sexual harassment scandal. Several coaches and an athlete received a similar ban.
Claims of sexual harassment within the country’s Karate federation broke out about two months ago with some athletes claiming they were sexually assaulted by some coaches. Nations Africa reported that the circle of karate black belt holders led by Francis Ampere Simo, in a 19-page document, cited several athletes who claimed the executives sexually assaulted them.
In August 2020, Emmanuel Wakam president of the Cameroon Karate Federation and the six other officials were indefinitely suspended and ordered by the Minister of Sport and Physical Education, Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi to present themselves before the Ethics Committee of the Cameroon National Olympic Committee.
Last month the Ethics body of the Cameroon Olympic and Sport Committee within three days examined the claims of sexual harassment with all parties given a fair hearing. During the meeting it was revealed that these cases will be thoroughly examined to ensure that the integrity of the athelets is repsected as well as Olympic values.
“It is the responsibility of the national Olympic and Sport Committee protect the moral ethics of sport in the country. In the case of the Karate Federation,it is a disturbing case. It is important for the ethics committee to look into the case and make the right decision”. Col. Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, president of the CNOSC said to State media CRTV.
According to the former President of the Cameroon Karate Federation, Aka Amwan, Emmanuel Wakam could have received a longer ban and described the verdict by the Cameroon Olympic and Sport Committee as timely.
“I think its normal for most of the Karnataka’s. We were expecting a heavier punishment for him but since we know the Col.[Hamad Kalkaba Malboum] and the National Olympic and Sport Committee work for peace and want to give a chance for people to correct themselves and come back to the house. Wakam would have deserved worse than that’, he said.
Emmanuel Wakam has previously denied any charges of sexual harassment. He described it as a plot to knock him out of office, GinaInforms gathered.
